Propagation is the characterization of radio waves as a function of frequency, distance and other conditions. These conditions affect the effectiveness for radio communications between two locations. It is helpful to know the current conditions that exist and which recent communications may have transpired.
Check out these propagation sites to see what bands are hot.
Paul Herrman N0NBH – Understanding/Using Solar-Terrestrial Data
http://www.hamqsl.com/solar2.html
The ionosphere does not always behave as expected and
so the band condition indicators are not always accurate.
DX watch provides real time DX spotting.
DX Watch top spots provides the most reported stations.
The DX Watch site also allows custom searches.
Filtered DX Spotting Searches
https://www.dxwatch.com/dxsd1/
WSPR Net
The Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Network is a group of amateur radio operators using K1JT’s JT digital mode to probe radio frequency propagation conditions using very low power (QRP/QRPp) transmissions. The software is open source, and the data collected are available to the public through this site.
VOA Prop shows you typical propagation for a given hour of the day during a given month. The propagation is shown as expected signal strengths to be received from different parts of the world, plotted on a world map. VOAProp can also display daily point-to-point propagation charts showing the best frequency and time of day for communication with a particular location.
VOA Prop includes a table of smoothed sunspot number (SSN) data going back to the year 1900. This data is used by VOACAP to produce a plot of average expected propagation for the time of day. VOAProp can also obtain real-time solar data from WWV, which it uses to give a qualitative assessment of conditions. This can show whether conditions are likely to be better or worse than predicted.
VOA Prop can also be used as an IARU amateur bands beacon monitor. If your computer clock is accurate, the program displays icons on the map which show which beacon is currently transmitting, together with the expected received signal strength according to the predicted conditions.
VOAProp includes a built-in updater which can download the WWV solar data, and update the SSN table and beacon status data, via an Internet connection.
For more information about VOAProp see the VOAProp online help.
Solar Ham is routinely updated with breaking news, sometimes hours before other Space News websites. You can trust SolarHam.com for the most up to date and accurate solar information on the internet.
The purpose of the website is to provide real time solar news, as well as data from various sources, all located in one spot for easy navigation.
VOACAP shows predictions for all HF amateur radio bands, covering the REL (Circuit reliability), SDBW (Signal Power) and MUFday parameters, as well and detailed band-by-band predictions.
Gateway Amateur Radio Club 
